Getting Around Nanaimo: Walkability, Public Transit & Biking

Nanaimo offers decent walkability in concentrated areas like the downtown and Old City Quarter, where travelers will find cafes, restaurants, and shops conveniently located. The waterfront area also provides a pleasant and scenic walking environment. However, the city's layout is somewhat sprawling, making it necessary to rely on a car for errands outside these central hubs.

Public transit in Nanaimo is functional but limited, primarily servicing central locations like the BC Ferries terminal and Vancouver Island University with a network of bus routes. While these buses cover the city reasonably well, services can be infrequent, especially on weekends, posing a challenge for spontaneous travel. Thus, it's adequate for planned trips but may require patience and planning.

Nanaimo is gradually enhancing its bike-friendliness with the introduction of dedicated bike lanes and multi-use trails like the E&N Trail. Though these improvements make biking more accessible, the hilly terrain and inconsistent infrastructure can present challenges. Some areas may seem daunting due to traffic, affecting biking's viability for daily commuting and errands.